We Tried It: NIKE Air Max 90 G Review

There may be a number of cool gear within the golf tools world that doesn’t all the time match neatly into Most Wanted Tests or Buyer’s Guides. You continue to wish to know the way it performs. In our We Tried It collection, we put gear to the take a look at and allow you to know if it really works as marketed. 

What We Tried

As we speak we’re reviewing the NIKE Air Max 90 G — the golf variant of the favored informal runner, the NIKE Air Max 90. That is one in all NIKE’s “hybrid” golf sneakers that blurs the traces between informal and course efficiency.

Your NIKE Air Max 90 G Tester

Connor Lindeman — Resident sneakerhead and leisure golfer.

Historical past of the NIKE Air Max 90

Because the title suggests, the NIKE Air Max 90 made its debut in 1990. Its predecessor, the Air Max 1, was the primary NIKE shoe to characteristic a visual Air unit which may nonetheless be discovered on a plethora of NIKE’s designs. At launch, the Air Max 90 was initially named the Air Max 3. It wasn’t till the early 2000s that the shoe took on its new identification.

Now that very same timeless design and Air Max cushion you possibly can each really feel and see is offered in a shoe that’s been barely retooled for the golf course.

NIKE Air Max 90 G Design Options

• Nostalgic Design — The Air Max 90 G maintains the basic, clear look of the OG Air Max 90.
• Air Max Cushion — A visual Max Air unit within the heel offers cushion and impression safety.
• Spikeless Traction — The spikeless traction attracts inspiration from the Waffle sample of the Air Max 90.

The Air Max 90 G comes with a regular one-year waterproof guarantee and retails for $130.

Spot the Distinction

At first look, the NIKE Air Max 90 G seems to be practically an identical to its informal counterpart. Quite than create a wholly new design, NIKE flexed their inventive muscle tissue to make delicate adjustments to the OG silhouette.

Can you see the distinction?

The most important distinction between the 2 sneakers is the only real: the spikeless traction is noticeable however not outlandish. One different noticeable distinction is the supplies. You gained’t discover the Air Max 90 G wearing suede, leather-based or canvas. It’s made primarily of mesh with TPU overlays whereas its informal counterpart could characteristic extra premium supplies, relying on the colorway.

Type Over Substance

It’s clear that NIKE selected to give attention to type moderately than substance (or on this case, efficiency). As a self-proclaimed sneakerhead and proud proprietor of some pairs of the OG Air Max 90, I can’t assist however drool over the timeless design.

One thing in regards to the seen Air has me feeling some sort of method …

Too far?

Placing efficiency apart (we’ll get to that later), I can’t deny that this shoe seems to be darned good. As blasphemous because it sounds, I wore the Air Max 90 G to my day job so I might head straight to the course after. I do know it’s not an ideal look however the shoe seems to be so unassuming that I used to be capable of simply pull it off. My secret’s protected with you. Proper?

Consolation Compromised

Can a golf shoe look good and really feel good? In case you’ve seen a few of our different opinions, you’d most likely say sure. And whereas I wholeheartedly agree that the 2 aren’t mutually unique, the Air Max 90 G will not be snug within the slightest.

You and I each perceive that consolation is moderately subjective—much like a mattress (get your thoughts out of the gutter, we’re speaking about golf). Some folks desire agency cushion, others desire plush. I typically fall into the latter class which is why I really like what adidas is doing with the CodeChaos 22.

Even for those who’re a fan of agency cushion, I reckon you’ll nonetheless discover the Air Max 90 G to really feel stiff and lifeless. The Air unit does little in the best way of step-in consolation and the remainder of the midsole is produced from light-weight foam that’s much less forgiving than the Rickie Fowler Forged MB blades.

In case you’re a rider, the shoe is tolerable within the cushion division. Walkers ought to look elsewhere, lest your toes meet the identical destiny as your ego after a front-nine 60—ache.

Traction

The traction is healthier than anticipated—for those who mood your expectations. Spikeless sneakers, particularly those who attempt to stay considerably informal trying, aren’t going to supply the identical efficiency as a conventional spiked shoe. Even nonetheless, the Air Max 90 G offered greater than ample traction for the dry circumstances of Arizona through which I play.

I’m not a very quick swinger by any definition however I can see how a few of you who produce much more torque than I’d slip or spin out a bit in something lower than stellar circumstances. Even nonetheless, it does simply sufficient within the traction division to make it appropriate for a leisure spherical.

A Golf Shoe in a Informal Shoe’s Clothes

Is the Air Max 90 G a serviceable golf shoe? Certain. However it’s nothing greater than serviceable. I’ve discovered that when an organization crosses over from informal, they have a tendency to field themselves right into a nook. Too typically, firms like NIKE spend time making an attempt to keep up their heritage moderately than making a golf shoe for the lots. Are these efforts wasted? Definitely not. There’s a area of interest for this kind of golf shoe. But when the model desires any probability at reaching the discerning golfer, they should nail the fundamentals first.

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